TASTE OUR COMMITMENT IS LINDSAY CREEK VINEYARDS' MOTTO. IT EXPRESSES OUR DEDICATION TO PRODUCE PREMIUM WINE, OPEN SPACE, MUSIC AND GOOD TIMES!
Enjoying great wine involves more than swirling, sniffing and sipping. Wine lovers also appreciate learning about the winemaker—who they are, how they approach their craft and why they pursue this age-old, esoteric art form. With that in mind, let us briefly introduce you to the background, evolution and vision of Lindsay Creek Vineyards.
Our family agribusiness is owned and operated by brothers Art and Doug McIntosh and their wives, Michelle and Brenda. For years, we have toured wineries with family and friends—both for the camaraderie, and for the wine. In time, we discovered that the Pacific Northwest offered some of the best products anywhere. Although it was a long-time, unfulfilled dream, in 2007 we finally decided that our family could join the impressive list of Northwest winemakers and we planted our first crop of 150 sticks of grapes, mostly Bordeaux, followed the next year by several Rhone varietals.
As fourth-generation grain farmers in Lewiston, Idaho, we understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the Palouse region of Idaho and Washington. The sediment deposits from the great floods of Lake Missoula (many millennia ago) left us with a fertile soil that offers the perfect composition and drainage that grape vines love. We knew that we had the right environment, we just didn't have the knowledge. However, we weren't afraid to ask dumb questions—and to listen to very wise answers. We employed the help of some of the Northwest's leading wine growers and soon started to understand what it really takes to produce excellent wines.
To make us official, we went back to school at Washington State University. Art earned a certificate in Enology (wine making) and Doug got his in Viticulture (growing grapes).
Over the next few years, we learned about optimum soils, water, environment, viruses, wine chemistry and wine making—and we even attended "grape camp" to get hands-on experience. All of this knowledge proved priceless as we continued to experiment with different varieties that are best suited for our region.
As our vegetation flourished, we brought in experts to teach us how to train the vines and care for our vigorous crop. In 2009, we made our first "hobby" wine; and, we continued our search for knowledge by helping Basalt Cellars bottle their vintages. It has all been a great adventure.
In 2013, we secured the loan for the winery building…and the dream became real. We crushed 18 tons of fruit—and were on our way!
